Apparatus for orienting cylindrical objects and securing the same together



July 27, 1965 'r. cooK 3,195,589

APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS AND SECURING THE SAMETOGETHER Original Filed May 25, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l July 27, 1965 T.L. cooK 3,196,589

APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS AND SECURING THE SAMETOGETHER Original Filed May 25, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tiq.z.

nwslvroR 72 0/1445 L 5 A 7' TORNEYJ' July 27, 1965 T. L. COOK A PPARATUSFOR ORIENTING' CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS AND SECURING THE SAME TOGETHER IOriginal Filed May 25, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l/VVfN Tm 75 0/1445 1. CoaxJuly 27, 1965 'r. L. COOK APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING CYLINDRIGAL oBJEcTsAND SECURING THE SAME TOGETHER Original Filed May 25, 1959 5Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 7, /0/1/45 Z. Can/r I 5y j j ,47'7'0RNEYJ July27, 1965 T. L; COOK 3,195,589

APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS AND SECURING THE SAMETOGETHER Original Filed May 25, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United StatesPatent APPARATUS FGR ORIENTING CYLINDRICAL GIB- JECTS AND SECURING THESAME TOGETHER Thomas L. Cook, San Francisco, Calif., assignor ofonethird to Kenneth H. Norberg, Tiburon, Calif, one-third to Warren V.Glass, Sausalito, Calif., and one-third to Leo Tellelsen, El Cerrito,Calif.

Original application May 25, 1959, Ser. No. 815,570, now Patent No.3,096,575, dated July 9, 1963. Divided and this application Aug. 1,1962, Ser. No. 220,345

4 Claims. (Cl. 53-48) This application is a division of Serial Number815,570 filed May 25, 1959 which issued as US. Patent No. 3,096,575 onIuly 9, 1963.

This invention generally relates to the art of packaging cylindricalmembers, such as containers used for foods, beverages and the like, andis more particularly directed towards an apparatus for securing aplurality of containers together by means of metal clips engageable withthe beads on the respective containers.

Containers of the type above mentioned are conventionally formed of tinplate and referred to as tin cans, and such cans include a cylindricalside wall and end walk with an enlarged bead or flange at the junctureof the walls. For a number of years, it has been the practice ofmerchandising experts to attempt to selllarger quantities of theirparticular canned product by adopting a multi-can packaging program forthe sale of their goods. In this connection, the beer industry haseffectively demonstrated the advantages of a multi-can package byselling in excess of ninety percent of its canned beer in the socalledsix pack container. In other words, it has been found that the consumer,if presented with the choice of purchasing two or three individual cansor a package of six cans, will take the latter, thereby materiallyincreasing the sale of the product.

In accordance with conventional multi-can packaging, the individual cansare inserted into a carton, and portions of the carton, usually formedof cardboard or like material, are folded around the cans and suitablysecured in position. While this arrangement possesses the desirableattributes of multi-can packaging, it likewise has prac tical andeconomical disadvantages and shortcomings. By way of example, cartonsare bulky to store, even in their collapsed condition, and arerelatively expensive. Furthermore, the machinery required to form thecartons around the cans is extremely complicated, expensive, and subjectto repeated breakdowns and other maintenance difliculties.

To avoid the shortcomings above mentioned, it has been more recentlysuggested to dispense with the costly cartons and hold the cans togetherby means of relatively simple metal clips releasably engageable with thecan beads. By way of example, reference is made to US Letters Patent No.2,810,171, which discloses a can clip or holder for securing a pluralityof cans together to provide a multi-can package. Obviously, if suchclips are to be used on a commercial basis, it is necessary that asystem be developed to rapidly apply the clips to the cans in anautomatic manner and without damage to the cans. Also, as will beunderstood from reviewing the previously cited patent, a clip of thisnature only engages the can beads at their adjacent portions, leavingthe peripheral surface of the can side wall unobstructed. Since in mostinstances the side wall is covered with identifying or advertisingindicia, either by printing or lithographing directly on the can, or byapplying a label thereto, it is desirable that when the cans are securedtogether, the indicia bearing covering of each can be oriented in suchmanner as to be readily visible to the prospective purchaser.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for applying clips to a continuous flowing line of canswhereby a predetermined number of such cans will be properly securedtogether to form a multi-can package.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of orientingcylindrical members so that a predetermined common peripheral portion ofeach member is facing in a common preselected direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic system forapplying clips to beaded cans in such manner that the indicia bearingcovering of each can will be directed in a preselected desired directionwhereby the dominant portion of the covering, e.g. the portion bearingthe name of the product may be directed outwardly and thereby easilyobserved by a purchaser.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method andapparatus of the character described in which the clips aresimultaneously applied to the upper and lower beads of the cans so thata complete can package may be readily formed in a single operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system of the typeabove described in which a predetermined number of cans may be securedtogether from a continuously moving line or lines of such cans in anextremely rapid manner whereby large quantities of cans can be handledin a given period of time.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of the invention which is illustratedin the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. Itis to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by thesaid drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plain view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse cross sectional view taken substantially in theplane indicated by the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 and on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 4 is a plan cross sectional view taken substantially in the planeindicated by the line 4-4 of FIG- URE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken substantially inthe plane indicated by the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of a portion of thestructure shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a plan cross sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE6.

FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view taken at the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7,the mechanism being removed in order to better illustrate the cans andapplied clip.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of four cans with an upper clip appliedthereto.

In broad terms, the apparatus of this invention includes the delivery offilled cans to a can orienting mechanism, and when the cans are properlyoriented and while the cans are moving along a defined path,simultaneousiy ap plying can-holding clips to upper and lower beads of apredetermined number of cans to provide a multi-can package. For purposeof illustration and explanation, the disclosed apparatus is designed toprovide a package of six cans, consisting of two parallel adjacent rowsof three arouses cans each, such a package being generally referred toas a six pack. The can clips disclosed herein are adapted for engagementwith the beads of four adjacent cans. Consequently, for a six pack, atotal of four clips are used, two on the upper beads and two on thelower beads. For a four or lesser pack, obviously only a single clip isrequired on the top and on the bottom bead portions.

With the foregoing in mind, it will be understood that in creating a sixpack, the properly oriented cans must be fed to the clip applicatormeans in two adjacent rows, the first two cans in both rows clippedtogether, and the second and third cans of both rows likewise secured toprovide a unit of six cans. Then, notwithstanding the fact that thefourth can immediately follows the third can, no clip is appliedtherebetween, but new clips are then applied to the fourth and fifthcans and the fifth and sixth cans, etc.

Before going into further detail on the present apparatus, reference isfirst made to FIGURES 3 and 9 of the drawings where there is shown a canclip 21 applied to a plurality of cans 22. Each can is of conventionalconstruction and includes a cylindrical side wall 23,- a top end wall 2a bottom wall 26, and upper and lower beads 27 and 28 respectively atthe juncture of the side and end walls. The clip 21 is adapted to beapplied to four immediately adjacent. cans, each of the cans having itshead portions in engagement with like portions of two adjacent cans,with the clip primarily disposed within the interstice defined by thecans.

Clip 21 includes a central planar portion 31 whose side edges extendupwardly to form legs 32, the latter being arcuate in shape along thelength thereof; The central portion of each leg has its upper endportion bent downwardly with a leg 33, generally parallel to and spacedoutwardly from leg 32. The end portions of leg 32 are foreshortened todefine tabs 34 directed towards leg 33. As will be seen in the drawings,when the clip is applied to the cans, the central portion 31 will bedisposed inwardly of the end of the can, the leg 32, positioned againstthe outer periphery of head 27 or 28, the leg 33 positioned against theinner periphery of such head, and the tabs 3 at each end of the leg 32underlying the shoulder formed at the juncture of the head and can sidewall. provided with an upward deformation 36 to facilitate removal ofthe clip from the cans, while portion 31 1ncludes a central aperture 37which serves as a convenient finger grip for handling the can package.

As previously explained, the clips 21, In their present environment areadapted to be appliedto the upper and lower heads of two side by siderows of continuously moving cans by means of vertically aligned upperand lower clip applicator dies, generally designated at ll and 42, andwhich will be hereinafter more fully described.

The cans 22 are fed, in vertical position, and in two adjacent rowsbetween the dies, by a plurality of endless conveyor belts. As hereshown, the latter includes a pa r of horizontally extending parallellower belts 43 positioned on each side of the dies, and havingtheirupper reaches substantially at the upper periphery of die 42; and asimilar pair of upper belts 44, each overlying a subjacent belt 43, andwith their lower reaches substan tially at the periphery of upper die41. The spaced reaches of the respective belts are such as to firmlyengage the cans therebetween and move them forwardly from right to left,past the dies, as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings. 7

The belts, dies and other moving portions of the mechanism arepreferably mounted on a platform which in cludes a horizontal table 51supported on legs 52 and suitable bracing 53. The lower belts adjacentthe ends of the platform engage drive rollers 54, suitably journalledthereon, while the upper belts 44 are in engagement with drive rollers56 carried on vertical extensions 57 of tie table, and as will behereinafter more fully explained,

In addition, leg 33 at its distal end is' such rollers are driven insynchronism by a suitable power source. It will be noted that the upperbelts extend longitudinally of the platform for only a portion of thelength of the lower belts, having one end portion disposed immediatelyrearwardly of the dies and their other end portions positioned forwardlyof the dies.

Any suitable means may be utilized for initially placing the cans invertical position on the lower belts 43 whereby they may be conveyedforwardly along the platform, thence firmly clamped between the upperand lower belts and acted upon by the dies. It will be noted that theupper reaches of the lower belts 4-3 are substantially coplanar with thesurface of the platform table 51, so that the cans may be convenientlymoved across such surface and deposited on the belts, the platformhaving a cut out portion for receiving the belts. As here shown a pairof transversely spaced rotary can feed members 61 are utilizcd for thispurpose, one of such members being disposed on each side of one of thebelts. Each of the members 61 is substantially the same and includes apair of vertically spaced horizontally disposed plates 62 and 63 havinguniformly spaced can-receiving arcuate pockets 64 disposed along thecircumference thereof. These pockets extend for slightly less than ofarc, and the spacing between the plates is such that the pockets willengage the side wall of a can adjacent the upper and lower beads thereofwhen the can is seated on the table 51. In order to supply cans to themembers 61, can delivery conveyors 66 are provided adjacent the oppositeedges of the table, here shown in the form of endless belts 67 adaptedto continuously receive a supply of cans and deliver them in a rearwarddirection towards and into the pockets of members 61 at a tangentialposition diametrically opposed to the belts 43 and 4-4. Conveyors 66 areeach carried on suitable drive rollers 69 carried on shafts '71 andsuitably power driven.

rom the foregoing, it will be understood that the cans, upon delivery tothe conveyors 67, are fed into the pockets 64 of the members 61, andupon rotation of the latter in the direction of the arrows shown inFIGURE 1, the cans will be moved across the table 51 onto the upperreaches of belts 43, leaving the pockets. Forward movement of belts 43result in the cans then coming into engagement with the lower reaches ofbelts 44, thereby being clamped against displacement when moving pastthe die members. It will be noted that the belts :3 and the belts 44 donot engage the entire bead area of the cans, but only the outer beadportionsthereof, thus leaving the adjacent opposed bead portions of thetwo rows of cans unobstructed so that the clip 21 may be appliedthereto. In thisconnection, it should be noted that suitable can guidesmay be provided to insure proper positioning of the cans between thebelts 43 and 44.

Referring now to the clip applicator dies, the same are disposed invertically aligned relation, :andeach con"- prises a disc '76 mountedfor rotation about horizontally disposed drive shafts 77. The disc ofthe upper die 41 is positioned above the table 51 a distance generallyequivalent to the height of a can, while the disc of the lower die isdisposed subjacent the table surface. At preselected portions along theperiphery of each disc are positioned clip supporting and applying dies79, preferably made of a hardened material and extending radiallyoutwardly of the disc periphery' In the arrangement shown for theproduction of six packs, it will be seen that the dies 79 are positionedin pairs, with the circumferential spacing between the centers of thedies in each pair corresponding to the diameter of a can and thecircumferential spacing between the centers of one, die of one pair anda die of an adjacent pair being twice the diameter of a can. In thismanner, with the rotation of the discs synchronized with the travel ofbelts.43 and 44, sets of six adjacent cans will be clipped together inthe manner previously described. If a four pack was desired, the centersof each die would be spaced at twice the can diameter, while an eightpack would require three dies spaced at a can diameter, and then a spaceof twice the can diameter, etc. In more detail, each of the dies 79includes a base 81 having a plan contour of generally the same shape,but larger than the plan contour of a clip 21. Extending radiallyoutwardly of the base is a male boss or projection 82 of a size andconfiguration to fit within the cavity defined by the central portion 31and legs 32 of the clip and hold the same against relative displacementon the boss except for movement in a direction radially outwardly of thedisc. The clips 21 are fed to the bosses 82 on the discs by means of aninclined upper chute 84 extending tangentially of the upper discslightly forwardly (relative to its rotational sense) of the upperportion thereof, and a similarly inclined lower chute 86 which extendsthrough the table 51 to tangentially intersect the lower disc slightlyreanvardly of its lower portion. Any suitable shaker mechanism (notshown) may be utilized to feed the clips in single file into the chuteswherein they will gravitationally slide towards the die members 41 and42. With respect to the upper chute, the clips must be disposed with thecentral planar portion 31 uppermost so that the bosses may receive theclip cavity. However, as to the lower chute, the clips must be inverted,i.e., with the portion 31 lowermost for insertion on the bosses.Thejclips must also be oriented as to position in the chutes since thebosses are oriented so that a diagonal line drawn between the junctureof opposed adjacent edges of the dies, and the clips carried therebyextends centrally along the circumference of the discs and along thelongitudinal axes of the table between the can conveyor belts for eachline of cans. The clip orientation in the chutes is maintained byproviding, in combination with the sides, top and bottom walls of thechute, a central rod or wire 88 which extends diagonally between theopposed openings 89 formed at the junctures of the side walls of theclip. 1 With the chutes filled with clips, properly oriented, thlowermost clip is held in position to be intercepted by a boss 82 by aWeak leaf spring 92, with one corner of the clip sufficiently advancedso that the next boss on the disk must engage the clip, forcing it awayfrom the spring. Full seating of the clip on the boss is insured byproviding an arcuate guide plate 93 for each disk, spaced suflicientlyfrom the periphery of the latter to retain the clips againstgravitational displacement, and seat the juncture of legs 32 and 33against the base 81 of each boss.

From the foregoing, it is believed clear that with the clips applied tothe bosses, as the latter approaches the moving rows of cans, the clipswill be placed on the cans with a generally rolling action in thedirection of can travel, as best illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawing,the clips being effectively snapped into engagement with the can beads.In this connection, a safety feature is provided to avoid jamming of themechanism if due to spacing between cans in a row, the absence of cans,faulty synchronism between can feed and rotation of the dies, or forother reasons, a clip remains on its boss after passing its normalrelease position. As here shown, each boss is provided with a slot 96extending circumferentially of the disc in which is disposed a fixedrod. Rod 97 for the upper disc enters the slots at about the top of thedisc, prior to clip introduction thereto, and follows the contour of thelatter to a position beyond the lower or clip applying portion of thedisc, whereupon it extends away from the disc for a short distance asshown at 98. In this manner, the rod in no way interferes with theapplication of the clips to the bosses, but if a clip should remain onits boss past the lower portion of the disc, the rod portion 98 willstrip the clip from the boss. In the same manner, a r0d9-9 is providedfor the lower disc and includes a clip-stripping portion 11?; extendingfrom the upper portion of the disc to remove any clips carried beyondthe top portion of the disc whereat the clip is intended to be appliedto the cans.

As the clipped cans pass the clip applying dies 41 and 42, they continueto move forwardly between the belts 43 and 44. Adjacent the forward endsof the latter are disposed pressure rollers 102 and 104 which liebetween each set of belts and are adapted to bear against the clips andinsure proper seating of the clips on the can beads. Continuedforwardmovement of the cans causes the latter to engage guide plates 106 whichremove the packaged cans from the belts for delivery to a take awayconveyor or other desired operations.

Means are provided for driving the previously described moving portionsof the apparatus in timed relation, particularly with respect to the canfeed members 61, conveyor belts 43 and 44, and dies 41 and 42. As hereshown, a motor 107 is mounted adjacent the lower portion of the platformand is operatively connected to a speed reduction unit 108 through aspeed changing mechanism 109. Unit 108 is provided with a drive shaft112 in which a bevel gear 113 is mounted. Gear 113 is in engagement witha similar gear 114 carried adjacent the lower end of a vertical shaft116 mounted for rotation in suitable support bearings and in alignmentwith the axes of discs 41 and 42. Shaft 116 is provided with verticallyspaced bevel gears 117 and 118 which engage like gears 119 and 121carried by the die shafts 77, thus effecting synchronized rotation ofthe upper and lower dies 41 and 42. i

Belts 44 and their drive rollers 56 are driven in timed relation to thedies such as through a chain 126 engaging a sprocket 127 carried by theupper die shaft 77 and a sprocket 128 carried by a shaft 129 on whichthe rollers 56 are mounted.

The lower belts '43 are similarly driven by the lower die through achain 131 engaging a drive sprocket 132 carried on the lower die shaft77 and a sprocket 134 on the shaft of the forward lower drive rollers54.

The can delivery conveyors 66 need not be synchornized so long as theybring a continuous line of cans to each of the rotary star wheel members61 to fill each pocket thereof. Members 61 are rotated in timed relationto the remaining portions of the mechanism by providing each member 61with a vertical shaft 141, one of which is preferably driven by a chain142 engaging sprockets 143 and 144 carried on shafts 116 and 141respectively, and the two shafts being connected for contra rotation inany suitable manner including a chain 146.

The apparatus hereinabove described will produce clipped multi-canpackages of any desired number of cans in a rapid and eflicient manner.However, as previously stated, most cans are suitably labeled orlithographed, and to produce an eye appealing six pack, for example, thebrand name in each row should be directed outwardly in order to beclearly visible to the prospective purchaser. Accordingly, as animportant feature of this invention, there is provided a means for soorienting the cans prior to the application of the clips or othersecuring means thereto.

As here illustrated, such means are incorporated on the star Wheels 61,and in broad terms is arranged to effect rotation of the cans until apredetermined peripheral portion of the can is oriented relative to itspocket 64, halting further rotation, and then delivering the orientedcans to the belt 43 with the desired portion of the label facingoutwardly, i.e., towards its adjacent longitudinal edge of table 51.

To effect the foregoing rotation of the cans, each star wheel 61 isprovided with a fixed arcuate guide plate 151 extending from the canfeed conveyors 66 to the belts 43'. These plates are provided with a canengaging portion 152 made of rubber or other material having a highco-eflicient of friction and spaced from the periphery of member 61 sothat a canmoved by the latter is forced aieasse against the portion 152and caused to rotate in it pocket 64. Obviously, if the cans wereextremely heavy, it might be necessary to provide plate 151 in the formof a moving belt to insure can rotation, but for most installations, thehigh friction stationery plate is adequate. Thus, during the arcuatepath of movement of the cans, they will be rotated about their axes, andsuch rotation is utilized to provide for proper can orientation.

In the present embodiment it will be seen that the cans are properlyoriented relative to the pockets 64 by providing a sensing arrangementwhich is operative to halt the can rotation when a'pre'determinedperipheral portion of the can is engagedby such element. The sensingarrangement is electrically actuated by means of the element contactinga bare metal portionof the sidewall of the can to effect closure of anelectrical circuit which in turn effects a clamping of the can in thepocket.

In thisrespect it will be appreciated that it is a common practice intheindustry to cover the sidewalls of can with lithographic labeling whichis electrically non-conductive. Such'lithographing'usually covers theentire sidewall except for a strip adjacent the longitudinal side scamin which the bare metal is left exposed. In the arrangement disclosed,the can side seam 153 is positioned ninety degrees from a portion 154 ofthe lithography which is desired-to-be viewed when the cans-are clippedtogether. In the event the'cans are provided with paper labels ratherthan the lithographic coating, the paper usually extends completelyaround the can sidewall, and therefore in orderto provide a'bare metalportion for establishment of an-electriccircuit, it is only necessary toprovide an aperture or apertures through the label so that the sensingelement can engage the bare metal.

As best seen in FIGURES l, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the sensingarrangement includes a pair of vertically spaced contact bars 156positioned intermediate the star wheel plates 62 and 63, with a pairbeing provided for each of the pockets 64. The ends of the bars areprovided with contacts 157 which are normally disposed slightly withinthe lateral confines of the pockets so as to engage a can positionedtherein.

' Electrical energy is supplied through power leads 159 leading toa'pair of vertically spaced arcuate conductor rings 161 which extendapproximately'one half the periphery of a commutator member 162 fixidlypositioned in axially aligned relation overlying the star wheel. Mountedon the upper surface of plate 62 are a plurality of brackets 163 withthe number of such brackets corresponding to the number of "pockets 64in the star wheel.

Each of the brackets is provided with a pair of spring r contacts 164 inengagement with the periphery of the commutator, and likewise engageablewith the conductor rings 161. One of the contacts 164is'connected to oneof the can contact bars 156 by a lead 166, and the other contact 164'isconnected to a solenoid 167 by a lead 168 which in turn is connected bya lead 169 tothe other can contact'bar. The solenoid is provided with anormally extended plunger 171 which is retractable upon creation of acircuit through thesolenoid. Pivotally connected to the end of plunger171 is a medial portion of a can clamping arm 173. One end of the arm isbifurcated with a pin 174 extending from plate 62 .positioned betweenthe bifurcations for guidingthe arm during pivotal movement thereof,such end being also provided with a resilient rocker portion 175engageable with the plate 62. The other end of the arm overlies itsadjacent pocket and is normally maintained in the elevatedposition seenin the right hand side of FIGURE 3 by a spring 176 extending betweenplate 62 and the lower surface of the arm. This latter end of arm 173 isprovided with a can clamping pad 178 which, when the arm is rockeddownwardly, as shown in the left hand side of FIGURE 3, will engage thetop end wall of the can and effectively prevent further rotationthereof.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that as the cansare rotated in their respective pockets in the manner previouslydescribed, the contact bars 156 will engage the bare metal portion ofthe can side wall after the can has rotated no more than one revolution.In the case of the'lithographed cans, such engagement will be made whenthe bare can portions adjacent the side seam 153 reaches the bars,whereas in the case of labeled cans, when the apertures in the labelreach the bars. The bar contacts 157 are disposed at the trailing edgeof each pocket, and when such contacts engage the bare metal of the can,a circuit will be closed through the rings 161, contacts 164 and thesolenoid, causing a retraction of the plunger and a downward movement ofthe arm 173 to firmly clamp the can against further rotation. It will benoted that'the rings 161 extend-substantially from the position whereinthe star wheel receives cans from the feed lines 66 to the positionwherein such cans are delivered by the wheel to the conveyor 43 As aresult of'the foregoing, the can sidewall portion 154 which will beoriented outwardly in the finished can package will be disposed at theinnermost seat portion of its pocket after the arm has beenactuated.

While as above mentioned, a can, upon entry into its pocket, will berequired to rotate only one revolution or less, and normally theengagement of the can with the member 152 will fulfill this rotationalrequirement. However, to assist the rotation of the cans, freelyjournalled roller'181 may be provided between the plates 62 and 63, eachof such rollers being adapted to engage the side walls of a-pair of cansin adjacent pockets.

What is claimed is: I

1. Apparatus of the character described including a longitudinallyextending can conveyor adapted to move two adjacent rows of cans in sideby side relation, said conveyor supporting said cans on the outermostportions thereof whereby the adjacent end portions of cans in the tworows are unobstructed for the application of a clip thereto, a pair ofdisc-like members mounted for rotation in a plane including the conveyoraxis with said members disposed on opposite sides of said conveyor, andeach of said members having a peripheralportion adapted to receive 'acan clip in one position of rotation of the member and apply the same tothe beads of adjacent cans in another position of member rotation.

2. Apparatus of the character described including a longitudinallyextending can conveyor adapted to move two adjacent rows of cans in sideby side relation, said conveyor supporting said cans on the outermostportions thereof whereby the adjacent end portions of cans in the tworows are unobstructed for the application of a clip thereto, a pair ofdisc-like members mounted for rotation in a plane including the conveyoraxis with said members disposed on opposite sides of said conveyor, andeach of said members having a peripheral portion adapted to receive acan clip in one position of rotation of the member and apply the same tothe beads of adjacent cans in another position of member rotation, canorienting means including apair of rotary members each having aplurality of arcuate can receiving pockets in the periphery thereof andpositioned on opposite sides of said conveyor for feeding said two rowsof cans thereto, means adjacent said latter members adapted to engagethe cans in said pockets for rotating the same therein,and can clampmeans on said members for clamping said cans in selected positions ofrotation thereof.

3. Apparatus of the character described including a first pair ofvertically spaced horizontally extending belts, a second pair ofsimilarly positioned belts transversely spaced from said first pair,means for moving all of said belts in unison, a pair of rotary disc-likemembers mounted for rotation about transverse horizontal axis positionedabove and below said belts respectively and extending generallyintermediate said two pairs of belts, each of said members having aperipheral embossment thereon, References Cited by the Examiner a clipholding die extending outwardly from said emboss- UNITED STATES PATENTSment, and means for rotating said members in unison whereby said diespass the general planes of the upper 1990498 2/35 Nordqulst 101' 38 andlower belts simultaneously 5 2,231,535 2/41 Jackson et a1 101715 4.Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which each of i? said dies has aslot therein, and clip stripping means extending into said slot for aportion of the rotary move- 2,892,296 6/59 Flsher 53-48 X ment of saidmembers for removing clips from said dies in the event that such clipspass said belt planes without 10 FRANK BAILEY Pnmary Examiner beinginserted on the cans carried by the belts. TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Examiner.

1. APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED INCLUDING A LONGITUDINALLYEXTENDING CAN CONVEYOR ADAPTED TO MOVE TWO ADJACENT ROWS OF CANS IN SIDEBY SIDE RELATION, SAID CONVEYOR SUPPORTING SAID CANS ON THE OUTERMOSTPORTIONS THEREOF WHEREBY THE ADJACENT END PORTIONS OF CANS IN THE TWOROWS ARE UNOBSTRUCTED FOR THE APPLICATION OF A CLIP THERETO, A PAIR OFDISC-LIKE MEMBERS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION IN A PLANE INCLUDING THE CONVEYORAXIS WITH SAID MEMBERS DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CONVEYOR, ANDEACH OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING A PERIPHERAL PORTION ADAPTED TO RECEIVE ACAN CLIP IN ONE POSITION OF ROTATION OF THE MEMBER AND APPLY THE SAME TOTHE BEADS OF ADJACENT CANS IN ANOTHER POSITION OF MEMBER ROTATION.